Professional One-Day Training Course in BIM: A Practice Overview of Multi-Applicability in Construction

The implementation of Building Information modelling (BIM) methodology in the construction industry has been covering wide applicability with recognized benefits in designing, constructing and operating buildings. A recent short course organized in the University of Lisbon, actualized with the most relevant achievement based in master research, was offered to professionals of the industry, namely, architects and civil engineers coming from diverse engineering areas, environment, construction, maintenance, consult and patrimonial enterprises and also from public organizations like city councils. The proposed action covers the areas of construction (conflict analysis, planning and materials take-off), structures (interoperability, analyses and transfer of information between software) and the most recent Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) topic. The course aims to contribute to the dissemination of the potential of BIM in the areas of designing, construction and refurbishing of historical buildings. The participants followed the course with great interest and satisfaction, formulating several questions directed to the particular activity of each of the attendees.

Awards and training course

Prof YUAN Longping,Director of Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center(HHRRC),won theAlan Shawn Feinstein World Hunger Awards for his research and education in Brown Universi-

Human Rights Training Course for State Functionaries

A training class on human rights knowledge for state functionaries was held in Beijing from December 11-14, 2007. More than 40 officials responsible for the publicity work on human fights from the central and state organs and the central press organizations attended.

A Good Beginning——Report on Completion of First-Cycle of U.N.Interpreter/Translator Training Course

The recruitment examination of the First-Enrolment Trainee-Graduates of the U. N. Trans-lator and Interpreter Training Course run byBeijing Foreign Languages Institute, was conduct-ed in late January and early February by a Unit-ed Nations Joint Examination Board headed byMr. D.Rutledge, senior U.N. official in chargeof the U. N. Department of Conference Services.During the recruitment exam, the translator con-didates were tested with three different papers ofconsiderable complexity; and the interpreter can-didates, with the live-recording of four tapedU.N. speeches of considerable difficulty. Thiswas followed by a process of individual

Research and Design of Consistent Project Cases for the Software Engineering Course Group

In order to enhance the abilities of practical innovation and solving complex engineering problems of students in the engineering context,we design a course cluster teaching model based on a unified enterprise-level project case.The program divides the knowledge points required by the project into the corresponding courses,and divides their realization into the practical teaching cases,so as to realize the design of teaching practice cases embodied in the unified project framework.This model allows students to practice projects based on the unified project background while learning knowledge from different courses.It not only allows students to learn abstract,fragmented,and difficult-to-understand knowledge systems thoroughly,but also integrates the knowledge into the practice of the enterprise-level project development,helping students experience the value of knowledge in complex engineering projects and thus improving their ability to solve complex engineering problems while learning theoretical knowledge.

Evaluating of Training and Internship Programs of University Hospitals

Objective: This study aimed to assess training and internship programs (courses) of basic and clinical sciences in hospitals based on surveying the students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Material and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional one with survey descriptive designs. The data collection tool was a questionnaire with 14 five-point likert style items. The Research and Development Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences surveyed all 185 students of training and internship programs, using a questionnaire with the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 81%, for the purpose of adjusting the education to the society’s needs and improving its quality. Result: The mean scores of the assessment of training and internship programs were 3.32%, 2.98%, 3.38% and 3.29%, respectively for theoretical classroom training related to practical training, mental, communicational and practical skills courses. The students’ satisfaction rate regarding the quality of educational courses of training and internship programs was 50.2%. Conclusion: Educational authorities have made necessary attempts to implement these programs and use potential resources for realizing the objectives and achieving the educational quality;however, they should make further attempts in this regard.

Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery Development at the Hospital Clinic: Our 4-Year Experience

Background: Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has still not replaced conventional laparoscopic surgery in many centers because of its special instruments requirements and training needs. In our Institution we introduced SILS procedures in a procedural stepwise manner, with progression to more difficult procedures only allowed if complete proficiency in low-complexity ones is achieved. Methods: We studied the evolution of performed SILS procedures in our Institution from the beginning of the program (mainly appendectomies, cholecystectomies, left adrenalectomies) and the results from these techniques. Results: Among 328 SILS procedures there were 148 appendectomies (24 by suprapubic access), 141 cholecystectomies, 32 left adrenalectomies, 6 diagnostic laparoscopies and 1 resection of Meckel’s diverticulum. The majority of appendectomies accounted for non-perforated appendicitis cases and there were no significant differences between transumbilical and suprapubic access groups. In cholecystectomies the majority of patients were elective cases and oral intake could be resumed within the 6 postoperative hours. In left adrenalectomies no conversion to open surgery was required and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusions: Procedural stepwise approach in SILS is a valid, feasible and safe option that can be applied at any institution starting a SILS program.

Necessity of introducing children's literature courses in teacher training programs in China

本刊1991年3期发表了一篇〈英美儿童文学——师范院校英语专业应当填补的空白〉,表明我们对开设这个课种的支持。东北师大的外籍教师Tova Meltzer博士在下面这篇文章中,根据北美的情况,结合中国的外语教学,进一步论述英美儿童文学课程对于学习生动活泼的英语和陶冶健康的情操的意义,并对儿童文学书目做了补充。